Carley named Walden deputy mayor

By Connor Linskey
Posted 4/14/21

At last Tuesday’s Walden Village Board meeting, Mayor John Ramos introduced Willie Carley as the new deputy mayor. As deputy mayor, Carley will run village board meetings if Ramos is unable to …

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Carley named Walden deputy mayor

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At last Tuesday’s Walden Village Board meeting, Mayor John Ramos introduced Willie Carley as the new deputy mayor. As deputy mayor, Carley will run village board meetings if Ramos is unable to attend.

Ramos appointed Carley for his experience serving on the village board and his levelheadedness. Carley felt honored that the mayor named him deputy mayor.

“I didn’t expect it…,” he said. “All I can say is I’m honored that he picked me to sit by his side and help him through the process.”

Carley served as a village trustee from 2010-2013. He left the village board to start the Tabernacle of Faith Christian Fellowship, a church in the City of Newburgh. In 2020, the church was doing well and Carley found that he had the time to help out the Village of Walden. He rejoined the village board as a trustee in September. Carley noted that although he has a new position, his mission on the village board remains the same.

“I don’t think anything will change the way I position myself concerning the village,” he said. “My whole thing is one: there has to be a balance between business and the community, meaning that the business side of government has to be upheld and that’s why we’re stewards and that’s why the board is in place within the village. And then you have to look at the people also. I’m all about managing taxes but I’m also looking out for the welfare of the village from a business acumen perspective.”

After growing up in Oakland, California, Carley has grown fond of the Village of Walden. He loves Walden’s suburban, hometown feeling. Carley enjoys the village’s residents and noted that many of them care deeply about Walden. He added that the village was also a good place to raise his children.

As deputy mayor, Carley aims to be fair, advocating for the needs of both the village and its residents.

“There has to be an independent review of everything to be very objective and I plan to be that voice for both sides, not weighing in one direction or the other but having an even view of everything and we [the village board] hopefully make a good collective decision with the village manager,” he said.

Ramos believes that Carley brings many unique skills to his new position. He is ready to work closely with him and the rest of the board to improve Walden.

“I have to personally thank the deputy mayor for stepping up and giving us his tutelage and his communication skills…,” he said. “We expect a lot from this team. I greatly appreciate the support that we have together… Hopefully the next two years will be productive and we’ll have a great village.”